Director of Technology and Innovation, The New Zealand Merino Company Limited

National Board Director, SPCA New Zealand

Logan has certainly gained a lot from university study so far, with the creation of his own company Biome Innovation Ltd, which looks to manufacture biodegradable products such as plastic and fabrics from the invasive pest-algae Didymo.

The impact his company can have on both New Zealand’s waterways and the creation of better environmentally-friendly products has earned him a lot of awards – including First Place and People’s Choice wins through the UC Summer Startup Programme, and a UC Innovators’ Summer Startup Scholarship through the UC Centre of Entrepreneurship to develop his company.

He also had another first-place win and received a National Merit Award at the Eureka Science and Innovation Competition as one of his biggest highlights, and had the ‘amazing opportunity’ to meet leading New Zealand businessmen, politicians, and scientists at a function at Government House.

‘My passion in life is to create concepts and ideas to solve major issues faced in the modern world,’ Logan says. ‘The Research and Innovation team and the Centre for Entrepreneurship have been excellent aids in developing my company, providing networks within the Christchurch economy and the wider country to develop my company off the ground.’

Since then, Logan has developed multiple inventions and is now located between New Zealand and the United States of America. Logan has reached international acclaim for other sustainable products such as polarized contact lenses for people with photosensitive epilepsy.

These transformative inventions have earned him the Young New Zealander of the Year title in 2018, a shortlisting for the IndieBio programme (one of the world‘s foremost biotech startup launchers), and being named in the Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ list for the Asia/Pacific region.

His experiences have also helped develop his current Research and Development leadership role with New Zealand Merino, earning the company the Supreme NZ International Business Award in 2019.

When first starting his university studies and entrepreneurial journey, Logan chose UC based on his first impressions from the Open Day events.

‘I was inspired by the campus, the blossoms had recently bloomed and the atmosphere was something I really got excited about. The multiple events, clubs and opportunities available to students was also incredible. I also really like Bishop Julius Hall of Residence as its small atmosphere felt homely and was a factor to choosing UC.’

Starting with undergraduate studies in Psychology was motivated by his desire to learn how we think, and why we react in certain ways.

‘I had a passion to help and better yet understand people to a greater extent. This has definitely aided me in life,’ he says. ‘I look at University as far more than just a certificate; it is life experience that you can apply in the real world. UC Science provided immense opportunities for me to develop that passion.’

Now doing PhD studies in Applied Psychology, Logan will further investigate the culture of business and organisational management, to help aid his company’s success.

‘My favourite part within my degree is the liberty to immerse myself in a range of studies ranging from Health Science and Education to Psychology and even Bioethics.

‘Before coming to UC I used to see the world in black and white, but now I see the world in colour. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting people with similar aspirations to me and engaging in a range of lectures to broaden my knowledge of the world.’